In the simplest terms, CBD Isolate, Broad-Spectrum CBD, and Full-Spectrum CBD are used to give customers a more defined and uniform idea on what type of CBD is used in a specific product. Each type is clearly distinct from the other types, and understanding the difference is essential for every new CBD user due to how each of these types of CBD is utilized by the Endocannabinoid System. The Cannabinoid Spectrum Range contained within a product is what determines whether the product is full-spectrum, broad-spectrum, or CBD isolate. CBD can be extracted in specific manners in order to produce one of three different classifications on the Cannabinoid Spectrum Range. These three distinctions on the Cannabinoid Spectrum Range are:

CBD Isolate: Scientifically speaking, an isolate is the purest form of a given compound, which is produced by extracting that compound — and only that compound — from its environment, thus isolating it from all other compounds. Because of this, CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD on the Cannabinoid Spectrum Range. CBD Isolate is manufactured in such a way that all other compounds that are normally found in the plant naturally (including terpenes, flavonoids, plant parts, and other cannabinoids) are completely absent from the end product. CBD Isolate is typically only extracted from industrial hemp, due to its already incredibly low THC content (no more than 0.03% THC by weight) without needing to undergo any additional refining steps to get the THC content under the Federally required 0.03% THC content by total weight.

Full-Spectrum CBD:Full-Spectrum CBD is an extract that contains all compounds that are found naturally occurring in the plant’s aerial parts and subterranean parts. These compounds include terpenes, essential oils, and other vital cannabinoids. These compounds work together in order to magnify the therapeutic benefits of each individual cannabinoid, which greatly increases the therapeutic benefits that are provided overall. This effect is commonly referred to as the “Entourage Effect “by CBD users, CBD advocates, manufacturers, and researchers. It was a previously held belief that CBD in its Isolated from was more effective than Full-Spectrum CBD because it has a higher concentration of Cannabidiol (CBD). However, in 2005, the Lautenberg Center for General Tumor Immunology in Jerusalem released the findings of a study — which can be viewed here — that ultimately provided evidence that the test subjects in this experiment that were administered with Full-Spectrum CBD rated their levels of relief from pain much higher compared to the level of relief that was reported by the subjects that were administered with CBD Isolate. Additionally, the results showed that Full-Spectrum CBD provided enhanced effects at higher dosages, while the effects of CBD Isolate showed less of an increase in their effects at the same increased dosing levels, which is another thing to keep in mind when shopping for CBD products.

Broad Spectrum CBD: Despite its potentially slightly misleading name, Broad Spectrum CBD is essentially a mix between Full-Spectrum CBD and CBD Isolate. Like Full-Spectrum CBD, the other compounds that are naturally found within the plant parts that are used in the extraction process are preserved at greater levels in the end product extract. However, like CBD Isolate, the levels of THC that are present are basically non-existent, as there are no readily detectable traces of the compound. Because Broad Spectrum CBD contains multiple of the most beneficial cannabinoids, it can deliver the enhanced benefits that are provided by the Entourage Effect, without the users of the product running the risk of suffering from the mind-altering psychoactive effects that are associated with THC use.Choosing a CBD product that falls into the section of the Cannabinoid Spectrum Range that you feel will be the most beneficial for you specifically is one of the most important things that you can do as a new CBD user, as CBD products are not one-size-fits-all and each CBD product is extracted and manufactured in a specific manner in order to provide specific benefits and in order to behave in a certain manner on your Endocannabinoid System.

As an additional thing to keep in mind when it comes to figuring out which form that will be most beneficial for you, is this: how your body utilizes and breaks down the CBD product is wholly dependent on the variety of factors that we have already covered in the Concentration versus Dosage section (which were: your weight, your body’s tolerance to the effects of CBD, and what your desired effects and outcomes are for using CBD). The effects that you desire from your CBD product, however, is probably the most important factor out of the three when considering which form of distilled CBD might be the best choice for you.

If you want a very strong effect from your CBD products, buying a product containing a Full-Spectrum CBD or a Broad Spectrum CBD is probably your best bet. However, if you want a more “clean” effect from your CBD product — such as what you might desire for regular everyday use for general well-being, as opposed to wanting to take a CBD product as a supplement to better handle a chronic or serious illness — then you might want to try a CBD Isolate instead. The decrease in its overall efficacy at higher levels, particularly in comparison to Full-Spectrum CBD products is less of a worry, as you will likely be taking a lower dose for this desired effect anyways.